Weekend Reykjavik Food Tour with a stop at the Reykjavik Flea Market

Food in Reykjavik hits differently. This 3 hour small group tour strings together Icelandic history, culture, and tastings across downtown. I like the central walkable route and the fact that you get multiple stops with food included, so you are not hunting meals all over town.

Two things I especially like: you learn while you eat, with stories tied to each bite, and the group stays small (max 12). That size matters in a place like Reykjavik, where you want questions answered fast and photos sorted without feeling rushed.

One thing to consider: the flea market stop depends on the weekend schedule (Kolaportið runs Saturdays and Sundays, 11 am to 5 pm), and city events can make the area busier than usual.

Key highlights you should care about

• Small group format (maximum 12), which keeps the pace friendly and questions easy
• Flea market stop at Kolaportið when it is open, plus traditional Icelandic foods to sample
• Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur for the original lamb hot dog from 1937
• Downtown walking route that helps you get your bearings on a first day
• All tastings and beverages included, so you can travel light
• Ends with Icelandic Street Food meat soup, a proper finish after sampling all day

How this Reykjavik food tour mixes stories with bites

This tour works because it treats food like a shortcut to Iceland’s past. Each stop is more than a snack run. You get the why behind the what, from Icelandic harbor traditions to what people actually buy and eat in everyday life.

In practice, that means you walk into meals with context instead of guessing. When your guide talks about seafood culture, the dish stops being just salty soup and starts making sense in the Icelandic setting of weather, distance, and local history. The same goes for the flea market, where the food feels connected to real daily life rather than a staged tasting menu.

The guide also shapes the vibe. Names you may meet on this tour include Óli, Ester E., Stephan or Stefan, Robyn, Ólafur, and Einor. Different personalities, same goal: good pacing, clear explanations, and plenty of fun facts without turning it into a lecture.

The start at Ingólfstorgi, plus the walk pace you can plan around

You start near downtown at Ingólfstorgi 1, meeting at the base for the walk. You are asked to be there 5 minutes early, which is smart because the tour only runs about 3 hours total and the route is tight.

The walking itself is not presented as a rugged hike. Still, you should expect a downtown street route with some up and down inside venues. One review noted the restaurants can involve stairs. If you have mobility limits, it is worth planning around that and bringing it up to your guide early so they can keep you comfortable where possible.

This start point is also convenient. You end back in central Reykjavik, so you can turn the tour into a first day win. Afterward, you usually know where the action is, and you are ready to branch out for sightseeing, coffee, or shopping without playing map roulette.

Harbor stop: shellfish soup that sets the Iceland tone fast

Early on, you head toward the old harbor area and begin with an Icelandic seafood starter: shellfish soup. Even if seafood is not your usual thing at home, this first tasting is a great entry point. It is Icelandic, it is local, and it is easy to compare to what you will see later.

Timing here is about 25 minutes. That is enough time to slow down, taste, and listen while you are still fresh and not yet overloaded with sweets or hot dog steam.

Practical note: because this is seafood focused, you should plan around dietary needs. The tour has handled allergies in the past, including at least one fish allergy case where substitutions were successful. Still, do not assume. Tell your guide what you need before you eat.

Kolaportið Flea Market on the weekend window

The Kolaportið Market stop is one of the most talked about parts of this experience because it turns food tasting into exploring. You get a stroll through the market and traditional Icelandic foods you can actually spot and recognize.

But this stop has a hard reality check. Kolaportið is only open Saturdays and Sundays, 11 am to 5 pm. If your tour is on a weekday, the flea market component will not match that timing. The good news is that the tour is designed as a weekend food experience, so plan your visit to Reykjavik with the market in mind if it is a priority for you.

Also expect the market vibe to be active in short bursts. It is not a quiet museum stop. You are moving, looking, and sampling, and that is part of the fun.

One downside to know about: Reykjavik can get event busy. There are cases where city events affected timing and caused delays. If you are trying to hit the flea market as your top highlight, build in some mental flexibility on that day.

Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur: the original 1937 lamb hot dog stop

No Reykjavik food tour feels complete without the hot dog pilgrimage. Here, the stop is Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur, the original stand dating back to 1937, and you will get the classic lamb hot dog.

This stop runs about 15 minutes. That is perfect for a quick landmark tasting without turning it into a half day queue. Still, famous places can mean lines, and one experience included line pressure that led to disappointment for a participant. That is not something you control, but it is a reason to stay early in the day’s energy and not expect every minute to be perfectly hands off.

If you love iconic local foods, this is your moment. If you dislike hot dogs or you prefer seafood only, you might want to balance expectations. The rest of the menu includes more than meat-on-a-bun, but this stop is the centerpiece.

The local supermarket stop: snack shopping with Iceland vibes

A shorter stop of about 10 minutes takes you into a local supermarket, where you sample and look at Icelandic snacks and candy. This is one of the most useful stops for travel value because it shows you what locals actually buy, not just what tourists photograph.

Think of it as your take home toolkit. After tasting a few items with your guide’s context, you can decide what to hunt for later without wasting time wandering aisles. If you like bringing back edible souvenirs, this is where you start making a sensible shopping list.

You also get a clearer picture of flavors in Iceland, especially the mix of salty, sweet, and savory options that show up in the rest of the tour.

Icelandic Street Food finale: Iceland in a bowl

The tour ends at Icelandic Street Food near downtown, at Lækjargata 8. You finish with a big bowl of meat soup, described in a way that sums up why the dish works: Iceland in a bowl.

This final stop is about 45 minutes, which is longer than the hot dog segment. It gives you time to sit, reset, and slow down after several tastings on the move. It also helps you avoid the common travel problem of constantly eating small portions and then realizing you are suddenly hungry too late.

Food satisfaction seems to vary by person. Some people felt it was filling, while others wanted more. Most tours of this type focus on sampling, not full restaurant meals. If you are the type who hates feeling rushed to finish bites, this longer soup stop is the easiest part of the schedule to enjoy.

What the guide does for you, with real examples

The guide is the difference between just eating and actually understanding what you ate. The best versions of this tour feature guides who are quick with explanations and good at pacing.

You might meet Óli, praised for calm, friendly energy and for sharing lots of Iceland and food context. Ester E. received big credit for Iceland history stories tied directly to what you are eating. Stephan or Stefan often shows up in reviews as entertaining and funny, with a clear ability to keep everyone engaged.

Some guides are more talkative than others, and one review mentioned needing to ask for details. That is a fair warning: if you want a very conversational guide, you might get one who is more interactive, but you should still expect to be able to ask questions and get answers.

Small group size helps here. With up to 12 people, you get attention, not just a headset explanation. Photos were also mentioned as a nice touch, especially if you want a quick group shot without sprinting for it.

Price and value: is $151.38 worth it for 3 hours?

At $151.38 per person for about 3 hours, you are paying for three things: a guided route, multiple tasting stops, and drinks included.

Here is the value math that matters in real life. This tour includes food tastings, beverages, and even alcoholic beverages at the end. It also includes taxes, fees, and handling charges. So you are not adding extra costs for each meal segment the way you would if you tried to DIY a seafood soup plus hot dog plus market sampling plus soup finale.

Is it pricey? Yes, compared to buying items one by one. But that is the point of a guided tasting tour. You pay to save time, reduce decision fatigue, and get local context. For many first timers, this tour is a fast orientation, which can replace hours of guessing where to eat and what is actually worth your money.

Where value can dip is if you are unlucky with timing, lines, or event disruptions. One person missed the flea market and had hot dog line issues that changed the experience. That is not guaranteed, but it is the main reason value can feel uneven.

Who this Reykjavik food tour is best for

This tour fits well if you:

• Want a first day in Reykjavik plan that knocks out food and city context at the same time
• Like Icelandic foods you might not order alone, especially seafood and the lamb hot dog ritual
• Enjoy small group walking tours and talking with a guide
• Are weekend travelers who care about seeing Kolaportið

It may be less ideal if you:

• Have strict mobility needs, since some spots can involve stairs inside restaurants
• Are very sensitive to seafood ingredients and do not want to navigate substitutions
• Need a perfectly flexible schedule on a day with city events, since Reykjavik can get busy

Final decision: should you book this tour or skip it?

If you are planning a weekend in Reykjavik and want a practical food plan that also teaches you what you are eating, I think this is an easy yes. The combination of harbor seafood soup, Kolaportið flea market, the original 1937 lamb hot dog, and a satisfying meat soup finale is a smart way to try a lot without planning.

My only hesitation is timing. If your top goal is Kolaportið and you are traveling on a day when the city might run chaotic with events, keep expectations flexible and aim to arrive early where you can.

FAQ

How long is the Reykjavik Food Tour with a stop at the Reykjavik Flea Market?

It runs for about 3 hours.

What is the price per person?

The price is $151.38 per person.

Where do we meet, and where does the tour end?

You meet at Ingólfstorgi 1, 101 Reykjavík and the tour ends at Lækjargata 8, 101 Reykjavík at Icelandic Street Food.

What foods are included during the tour?

Food tastings are included at each stop, along with beverages. The tour also ends with an Icelandic drink. A key tasting is shellfish soup early on, plus a lamb hot dog at the original 1937 stall, and a meat soup at the end.

Is the Kolaportið Flea Market stop only on weekends?

Yes. Kolaportið is open Saturdays and Sundays from 11 am to 5 pm, and the flea market portion fits that schedule.

Does the tour run in bad weather?

Yes. It operates in all weather conditions, so you should dress appropriately.